“The SDF entered Manbij from the south under cover of coalition air raids,” said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman, adding that the SDF was able to break through ISIL’s defenses a few hours after taking control of a village on the city’s southwestern outskirts.

ISIL has held Manbij, which had population of about 120,000 before the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, since 2014. The city is a key stop on ISIL’s supply route from the Turkish border to its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa.

Abdel Rahman said the SDF forces were facing booby-traps “planted by the jihadists to try to prevent the loss of the city.” At least two SDF fighters died when a bomb went off in a residential building.

The SDF advance on Manbij, which began on May 31, was slowed as ISIL fought back and carried out almost daily suicide bombings, the Observatory reported.